We have all heard the expression, "You reap what you sow'. It is found in the Bible in Galatians 6:7. Most of the time when we hear this expression it is from a negative perspective. There is nothing wrong with looking at it that way. We all need to realize that God cannot be fooled. He is aware of everything we do and there is technically nothing done in the dark in the eyes of God. But that is not what I want to talk about today. What I want to talk about is what is said in verse 9 of the same chapter.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
First I want to talk about God's Awareness. There isn't anything that God does not know. That means He sees your obedience. He sees each and every time you are at war with yourself and you choose to make the right decision. You choose to bless those that curse you. You go out of your way to smile at the very person you know is talking about you behind your back. You take that moment to listen to someone in need. You actually pray when someone asks you to pray for them. Instead of cussing out the person who cuts you off or won't let you merge onto the highway, you hold your tongue. Never think for one moment that God is asleep or not paying attention. Remember that his eye is on the sparrow and you have that blessed assurance that He is watching you.
That is not the part, however, that I have the problem with. I stopped trying to "hide" things from God a long time ago. I am to the point in my life now that I feel guilty when I make a mistake or let God down by choosing my sinful nature over my spiritual nature. And I try really hard. The part I have a problem with is 'when is the proper time?' It sounds all good when I hear the preacher say (or even myself say) that our reward is not here on this earth. And believe me when I tell you that I am looking forward to the day when I can see my Saviour's face and thank Him personally for saving me. But let me be real and say that sometimes I want to reap the good I sow RIGHT NOW! Doesn't God know how hard it was for me to do that good deed. I had to literally bite my tongue not to cuss that person out! Doesn't He know that I see all these other people being blessed and they don't do half of what I do? (I don't really know what they do...but it sounds good.) I am thankful for my life, my health and my strength but those things are a given. (Not really...there are many people who made plans the night before and didn't wake up the next morning.) It's not even that I'm looking at what other people have because I have learned that I don't know what God took them through to receive the blessings they have received. What it all boils down to is that I don't want to wait! I hate to wait. I want to see the fruits of my labor now. But you have heard me say before that it is not about my timing, it is about GOD'S TIMING! And to take it even further it's about the proper time.
I looked up the definition of proper and it said 'specially adapted or suitable to a specific purpose or specific conditions'. My question for you today is do you know your purpose? As Christians we know that everything we do should be to glorify God's kingdom and as we glorify God's kingdom, we become more like Christ. That is our purpose. What I like about the definition given above is that it tells me that God thought enough of me that what I reap and when I reap my harvest is 'specially adapted' just for me. With all the things God has to take care of, He cares enough about me to make sure that I receive what I need when I need it. And since He sees 'my story' from beginning to end, I would much rather sit and wait for His proper time. And while I am waiting, I will continue to work for Him. I will continue to choose God's way. Will you?
Dear Lord,
It's no fun to wait but I am starting to realize that what You have prepared for me is far greater than anything I could every imagine. I don't want to settle for temporary rewards instead I want to wait on my eternal reward. I know that if it is given by you and I take proper care of what I receive than I can make it on that and don't need anything else. Thank you that you cared enough about me to design a plan specifically for my life. Help me to follow your direction and not to move either to the left or to the right without clear instruction for you. I know that my life will be better for it. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
What Have You Done For Him Lately?
I spend a significant amount of my time with God in my car. It's not so easy sometimes to just go into my room and close the door and keep the children out. So I have to use whatever time and space is available to me and as of later I have been spending a lot of time in my car. Today I was thinking about all that God has done for me just in the last few weeks and my spirit began to say to me..."What have you done for Him lately?"
As I look back over my life I can see the hand of God orchestrating every thing that has occurred. Of course, all of it was not as I would have liked it to be, but it has all been what was best for me. He has blessed me beyond measure. Then I begin to think about how many times I have let Him down by not being obedient to His Word. How many times I haven't represented Him in my actions? How many times I have passed by on the other side when I saw my sister or brother in need? The times were more than I wanted to admit. And after all God has done for me, these are just a few things I could do. What about you?
Let me put it in terms that helped me. I'll use my children as an example. God is teaching me so many lessons through my children. One of the things that bothers me so much about them is that their hands are always out, yet and still when I ask them to do something for me (like clean their room, wash the dishes, make me something to drink) their lip is stuck out. They complain the entire time they are doing it and then they do it half-heartedly. It doesn't matter that I am feeding them, clothing them, providing everything they need and will continue to do so because they are my children. Sounds like me with God! I am always asking Him for something. Lord, I need this. Please bless me with that. He only asks me to serve Him by serving others and I just complain. If it's somebody I like, I'm okay with it but what if it is someone I don't like or has done me wrong. I might do it but I am complaining the entire time. Lord, why me? Can't you choose someone else? So I drag my feet and do the bare minimum and my true feelings are written all over my face. We are here to serve others. It is not about whether or not we feel like it or like the person. It's about being obedient to God. What about in the church? We stop serving because someone said something to offend us or we don't like the person who is in charge of the committee. The question of the day is... are we serving God or man? Man doesn't wake us up every morning. Man doesn't give us grace and mercy. Man doesn't love us unconditionally. But God does....
Colossians 3:23-24, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Each and every day of your life is an opportunity to be of service. We do not serve God by going to church on Sunday. We serve Him by what we do.....and in how we act outside of church. I always think to myself...if I didn't tell someone I was saved would they know it? Could they tell by my actions? Or are my behaviors the same as those who are unsaved? Take a moment and think about this. Do you behave like my children when I ask them to do something or do you serve whole-heartedly as unto the Lord? We can never repay the Lord for all that He has done for us but we can strive to be better representatives of Him in how we live.
Dear Lord,
You don't ask much of me but there are times when I act as though you do. Dragging my feet and complaining and still asking you to bless me. I need to be a better servant. I want to be more like you. You have done so much for me and I know that if you never do anything else for me you've already done enough. I am so eternally grateful. Thank you for blessing me. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
As I look back over my life I can see the hand of God orchestrating every thing that has occurred. Of course, all of it was not as I would have liked it to be, but it has all been what was best for me. He has blessed me beyond measure. Then I begin to think about how many times I have let Him down by not being obedient to His Word. How many times I haven't represented Him in my actions? How many times I have passed by on the other side when I saw my sister or brother in need? The times were more than I wanted to admit. And after all God has done for me, these are just a few things I could do. What about you?
Let me put it in terms that helped me. I'll use my children as an example. God is teaching me so many lessons through my children. One of the things that bothers me so much about them is that their hands are always out, yet and still when I ask them to do something for me (like clean their room, wash the dishes, make me something to drink) their lip is stuck out. They complain the entire time they are doing it and then they do it half-heartedly. It doesn't matter that I am feeding them, clothing them, providing everything they need and will continue to do so because they are my children. Sounds like me with God! I am always asking Him for something. Lord, I need this. Please bless me with that. He only asks me to serve Him by serving others and I just complain. If it's somebody I like, I'm okay with it but what if it is someone I don't like or has done me wrong. I might do it but I am complaining the entire time. Lord, why me? Can't you choose someone else? So I drag my feet and do the bare minimum and my true feelings are written all over my face. We are here to serve others. It is not about whether or not we feel like it or like the person. It's about being obedient to God. What about in the church? We stop serving because someone said something to offend us or we don't like the person who is in charge of the committee. The question of the day is... are we serving God or man? Man doesn't wake us up every morning. Man doesn't give us grace and mercy. Man doesn't love us unconditionally. But God does....
Colossians 3:23-24, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Each and every day of your life is an opportunity to be of service. We do not serve God by going to church on Sunday. We serve Him by what we do.....and in how we act outside of church. I always think to myself...if I didn't tell someone I was saved would they know it? Could they tell by my actions? Or are my behaviors the same as those who are unsaved? Take a moment and think about this. Do you behave like my children when I ask them to do something or do you serve whole-heartedly as unto the Lord? We can never repay the Lord for all that He has done for us but we can strive to be better representatives of Him in how we live.
Dear Lord,
You don't ask much of me but there are times when I act as though you do. Dragging my feet and complaining and still asking you to bless me. I need to be a better servant. I want to be more like you. You have done so much for me and I know that if you never do anything else for me you've already done enough. I am so eternally grateful. Thank you for blessing me. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Stop Putting God in a Box!
I woke up this morning to the voice of the Lord. He kept saying the same thing to me over and over again. "Stop trying to put me in a box Ramona." Now I must admit that I didn't think that I was doing this. I knew that I had been praying about some things and I thought that I had given God permission to work it out the way He wanted to but maybe I hadn't. Maybe my words and my actions didn't match. I sat and thought about it for a while. One particular verse came to mind. 'Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think, according to the power that worketh within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21) But did I really believe this?
God has performed many miracles in my life. He has done things that I never thought He would do. It's not that I didn't believe He had the power. After all, He died on a cross and got up from the grave with all power. He parted a Red Sea. He raised Lazarus from the grave. He healed the woman with the issue of blood. He save Daniel from the lion's den. He used a shepherd boy to slay the giant Goliath. He turned water in to wine. He fed five thousand with two fish and five loaves of bread. All these things have been done by a great and powerful God. But that was then....what about now? Is He still capable of doing the same things in my life. A nobody from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. When I am faced with my own Red Sea experience with my enemy behind me and a Red Sea in front of me...is God able to part that sea so that I can walk across on dry land. Sure He is! But am I tying His hands? Am I limiting God? Who really has control of the situation? I have often times found myself praying only what I think God can do. What do I mean by that? I don't want to ask for too much. I'm the same way in my regular life. I don't like to ask people for anything and when I do it's always on a small scale. But the verse above says that my God is able to do so much more than I could ever ask or think. One translation says that He is able to do more than I could ever desire or understand. I would imagine that when the children of Israel were faced with situations time and time again that seemed impossible while traveling through the desert after leaving Egypt to go to the Promise Land that they never expected God to do all that He did for them. But He did just that and they were able to shout about it. And we will be able to shout about it too.
I always tell people, you don't know my story or the reason I praise Him like I do. It is all because God continues to do for me more than I could ever imagine. More than I have even asked Him to do. He has showed up in my life time and time again so that He can get the glory! I am so grateful! He can and will do the same thing for you! But we have to learn to stop putting Him in a box! Don't limit God! We must wait patiently for Him to work. And when He does, we must remember to praise His name. The next time you are faced with what man says is an impossible situation, you don't have to worry or fret. You can stand firm on the promises of God. Knowing that He is able! I've tried Him and I know Him. Found Him to be a friend. I know too much about Him. On Him you can depend! Saved my soul! Made me Whole! There's none like Him! When it comes to the God we serve, start thinking outside the box! We are limited! God is not!
Dear Lord,
Before I say one thing, I just want to say Thank you! I thank you because I can recall the times I have tried to keep you in a box and you just moved me right out of the way and blessed me anyway. You didn't let me stand in my own way. You are such an awesome, amazing God. You keep right on doing great things for me. At this point in my life, I have decided to move out of the way and let you work. However you choose to work through me and whatever you choose to do for me, I am moving out of the way so you can work. Thank you for revealing yourself more and more to me through the work you continue to do in my life. I am so eternally grateful. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
God has performed many miracles in my life. He has done things that I never thought He would do. It's not that I didn't believe He had the power. After all, He died on a cross and got up from the grave with all power. He parted a Red Sea. He raised Lazarus from the grave. He healed the woman with the issue of blood. He save Daniel from the lion's den. He used a shepherd boy to slay the giant Goliath. He turned water in to wine. He fed five thousand with two fish and five loaves of bread. All these things have been done by a great and powerful God. But that was then....what about now? Is He still capable of doing the same things in my life. A nobody from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. When I am faced with my own Red Sea experience with my enemy behind me and a Red Sea in front of me...is God able to part that sea so that I can walk across on dry land. Sure He is! But am I tying His hands? Am I limiting God? Who really has control of the situation? I have often times found myself praying only what I think God can do. What do I mean by that? I don't want to ask for too much. I'm the same way in my regular life. I don't like to ask people for anything and when I do it's always on a small scale. But the verse above says that my God is able to do so much more than I could ever ask or think. One translation says that He is able to do more than I could ever desire or understand. I would imagine that when the children of Israel were faced with situations time and time again that seemed impossible while traveling through the desert after leaving Egypt to go to the Promise Land that they never expected God to do all that He did for them. But He did just that and they were able to shout about it. And we will be able to shout about it too.
I always tell people, you don't know my story or the reason I praise Him like I do. It is all because God continues to do for me more than I could ever imagine. More than I have even asked Him to do. He has showed up in my life time and time again so that He can get the glory! I am so grateful! He can and will do the same thing for you! But we have to learn to stop putting Him in a box! Don't limit God! We must wait patiently for Him to work. And when He does, we must remember to praise His name. The next time you are faced with what man says is an impossible situation, you don't have to worry or fret. You can stand firm on the promises of God. Knowing that He is able! I've tried Him and I know Him. Found Him to be a friend. I know too much about Him. On Him you can depend! Saved my soul! Made me Whole! There's none like Him! When it comes to the God we serve, start thinking outside the box! We are limited! God is not!
Dear Lord,
Before I say one thing, I just want to say Thank you! I thank you because I can recall the times I have tried to keep you in a box and you just moved me right out of the way and blessed me anyway. You didn't let me stand in my own way. You are such an awesome, amazing God. You keep right on doing great things for me. At this point in my life, I have decided to move out of the way and let you work. However you choose to work through me and whatever you choose to do for me, I am moving out of the way so you can work. Thank you for revealing yourself more and more to me through the work you continue to do in my life. I am so eternally grateful. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Comfort or Maturity?
I love the Word of God! You can read a verse over and over again and then one day someone says something that puts that scripture in a whole new light. The Holy Spirit then does the rest. This week we are in Vacation Bible School at my church and the teacher said something that I just could not shake. He was talking about a familiar passage of scripture....Romans 8:28. You know the verse. 'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose'. It was the first verse someone quoted to me when I was going through one of the most difficult times (or so I thought) of my life. I looked at that individual as though they were crazy! Throughout life we are taught that if something is working out for our good then that means we are getting what we want. The job. The house. The car. The man. The woman. Whatever we are praying for that is what we receive. Give me, give me, give me what I want! And not in God's time but in my time. However, as Christians we know that is not always the case. In fact, sometimes it is the exact opposite. The question that I want to pose to you today is one very similar to the one the minister posed last night. Is this scripture talking about comfort or maturity? Is it truly about us getting what we want in the end? And if it is about getting what we want....do we only want material things? And if we don't get what we want, how do we respond?
Those of you that have been reading this blog from the beginning know that one of the things I stress is that our lives on this earth should be used so God can get the glory. And this should be done by any means God's deems necessary. Even through our trials and tribulations. Even in the eye of a storm. We have heard the preacher say time and time again that you are either in a storm, coming out of a storm or getting ready to go into a storm. But have we come to grip with this reality? Yes, God blesses us and hopefully we thank Him for His blessings. Do we thank Him, on the other hand, that the storm that we are in is going to used as a testimony that will help someone else? Or are we looking for that silver lining? That end result that means I have a better job...a bigger house...a nicer car. For me, it depends. On what? How bad the storm is? Did I get a breather in between storms? How badly wounded was I in the last storm? I think about all of this. Am I sitting there thinking that God is going to get the glory? Am I thinking that I am going to be STRONGER, WISER, BETTER, SO MUCH BETTER? Not at all. But I should be....because His promises are true and it will work out for my good. And if I faced every storm, every obstacle with this very attitude, I do believe things would be better. If I could say like David said, 'I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging for bread'. If I could 'hold to God's unchanging hand' or if I could just 'Keep Swimming' (Finding Nemo) I have often times heard myself say that 'I can make it through this situation because I know God has something better for me when it is over'. I have even made out my list of what that better should be. But the things on that list are things I can see and touch. They are not intangible things. Although it is those intangible things that make us survivors.
You may be like me always looking for that 'silver lining'. Looking for that temporary fix. That thing you want at the moment instead of what will be with you for a lifetime. If that is the case with you, I challenge you today to make a change from looking for comfort to looking for maturity. Let that be your end result. May you be able to say that you are STRONGER, WISER, BETTER....SO MUCH BETTER.
Dear Lord,
Yes I have asked you for alot of things. These were all things that I thought I needed at the time. I confess that I have not always seen your hand at work and I just want to be comfortable. I know that I should be growing in the Lord and looking with spiritual eyes but sometimes I want to be able to see and touch and show others what you have done for me. It's a little hard to show someone I have peace or strength even though I know that these things are better for me. Help me to be more aware of your hand. Help me to recognize my need for maturity so that I no longer tuck tail and run in every bad situation. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Those of you that have been reading this blog from the beginning know that one of the things I stress is that our lives on this earth should be used so God can get the glory. And this should be done by any means God's deems necessary. Even through our trials and tribulations. Even in the eye of a storm. We have heard the preacher say time and time again that you are either in a storm, coming out of a storm or getting ready to go into a storm. But have we come to grip with this reality? Yes, God blesses us and hopefully we thank Him for His blessings. Do we thank Him, on the other hand, that the storm that we are in is going to used as a testimony that will help someone else? Or are we looking for that silver lining? That end result that means I have a better job...a bigger house...a nicer car. For me, it depends. On what? How bad the storm is? Did I get a breather in between storms? How badly wounded was I in the last storm? I think about all of this. Am I sitting there thinking that God is going to get the glory? Am I thinking that I am going to be STRONGER, WISER, BETTER, SO MUCH BETTER? Not at all. But I should be....because His promises are true and it will work out for my good. And if I faced every storm, every obstacle with this very attitude, I do believe things would be better. If I could say like David said, 'I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging for bread'. If I could 'hold to God's unchanging hand' or if I could just 'Keep Swimming' (Finding Nemo) I have often times heard myself say that 'I can make it through this situation because I know God has something better for me when it is over'. I have even made out my list of what that better should be. But the things on that list are things I can see and touch. They are not intangible things. Although it is those intangible things that make us survivors.
You may be like me always looking for that 'silver lining'. Looking for that temporary fix. That thing you want at the moment instead of what will be with you for a lifetime. If that is the case with you, I challenge you today to make a change from looking for comfort to looking for maturity. Let that be your end result. May you be able to say that you are STRONGER, WISER, BETTER....SO MUCH BETTER.
Dear Lord,
Yes I have asked you for alot of things. These were all things that I thought I needed at the time. I confess that I have not always seen your hand at work and I just want to be comfortable. I know that I should be growing in the Lord and looking with spiritual eyes but sometimes I want to be able to see and touch and show others what you have done for me. It's a little hard to show someone I have peace or strength even though I know that these things are better for me. Help me to be more aware of your hand. Help me to recognize my need for maturity so that I no longer tuck tail and run in every bad situation. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Jumping to Conclusions
One very annoying habit that I have is 'jumping the gun'. I get so mad at myself when I do this, especially when I feel like I'm growing spiritually and seemingly on the right track. I have tried and tried to stop doing this but it doesn't seem to work. I don't always do it but there are days that I may hear just the smallest bit of information and I automatically think the worse. What do I mean? You know how you are sitting at work one day and a co-worker stops by and said that the company is planning to do layoffs. You automatically start stressing out. You start sending out your resume. You start worrying about how your family is going to eat. How you are going to continue to pay your bills. You go in to the doctor for a routine check-up and the doctor says that he found some sort of lump. You start thinking about how many people in your family have died of cancer and already start planning your funeral. Now you might be thinking that these two are extreme and you don't do this, so let me use some simple examples. You are in a relationship and your mate starts acting distant or receives a phone call and you automatically assume that he or she is cheating on you. What about the paranoia we feel from our own insecurities that makes us think that someone is always talking about us or out to get us. All of the aforementioned are variations of 'jumping to conclusions'. The sad part about it is that most of the time it is the wrong conclusion. We have already written our futures instead of trusting God to take care of us no matter what the circumstance.
I read an interesting scripture today. One that helped me see things a little differently. Psalms 138:8a says, 'The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me'. Another translation that I like a little better says, 'The Lord will work out His plans for my life'. What a word! This tells me that it really doesn't matter what the doctor says, what my company is planning, what my mate is doing, if my friends are talking about me.....no matter what I should have the faith that God is using all these things to fulfill His plans for my life. Notice I said 'HIS PLANS' for my life. My plans may be a little different. I may have thought that this was the company I wanted to retire from. He may say, "I have other plans for you, my child." I may have decided that this was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with (Even though I didn't bother to find out how God wanted me to behave in this relationship and I decided to do things my way. You do know how we like to say that we are doing a 'new thing'.) And God may be saying there are some more things that I am trying to teach you so that you will have the type of marriage that I designed that will last 'til death do us part'. Maybe you will get sick so that God can heal you and you will be a 'living testimony'. Maybe there are some friends who will betray you so that you will learn to depend more on Him. You do realize that every one is not meant to go all the way through with you til the end of your journey. (Very hard lesson for me to learn) Whatever the case may be....He is the Master Architect. He is the Composer. Let Him have control of the steering wheel. He can see what's down the road. He will shield you and protect you. Guide you and direct you. 'For He knows the plans that He has for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'. Jeremiah 29:11 But you have to trust him. STOP FOCUSING ON THE PROBLEMS AND START FOCUSING ON HIS PROMISES. God is not a man that He should lie. It will come to pass, even if you have to stop by Layoff Avenue and Chemotherapy Road, Divorce Lane and Backbiting Expressway. Everything that happens in your life is so that God can get the glory. He is molding you into His masterpiece. The way I look at it is that it can be an easy or difficult process. Take the time to truly realize and recognize the sovereignty of God and praise Him through your situation. He's working it all out for your good!!!
Dear Lord,
I have spent my lifetime making plans. Sometimes I have consulted you and other times I haven't. Even though I know in my heart of hearts that you will work it all out I still like to put my two cents in. I still like to try to take control back from you. I have a habit of thinking the worse instead of seeing your mighty hand at work. I have caused myself undue stress time and time again instead of leaning and depending on you. I am going to do better at this with your help. Thank you for working out the plans you have for my life. Help me to realize that everything that happens in my life is so that you can get the glory. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
I read an interesting scripture today. One that helped me see things a little differently. Psalms 138:8a says, 'The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me'. Another translation that I like a little better says, 'The Lord will work out His plans for my life'. What a word! This tells me that it really doesn't matter what the doctor says, what my company is planning, what my mate is doing, if my friends are talking about me.....no matter what I should have the faith that God is using all these things to fulfill His plans for my life. Notice I said 'HIS PLANS' for my life. My plans may be a little different. I may have thought that this was the company I wanted to retire from. He may say, "I have other plans for you, my child." I may have decided that this was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with (Even though I didn't bother to find out how God wanted me to behave in this relationship and I decided to do things my way. You do know how we like to say that we are doing a 'new thing'.) And God may be saying there are some more things that I am trying to teach you so that you will have the type of marriage that I designed that will last 'til death do us part'. Maybe you will get sick so that God can heal you and you will be a 'living testimony'. Maybe there are some friends who will betray you so that you will learn to depend more on Him. You do realize that every one is not meant to go all the way through with you til the end of your journey. (Very hard lesson for me to learn) Whatever the case may be....He is the Master Architect. He is the Composer. Let Him have control of the steering wheel. He can see what's down the road. He will shield you and protect you. Guide you and direct you. 'For He knows the plans that He has for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'. Jeremiah 29:11 But you have to trust him. STOP FOCUSING ON THE PROBLEMS AND START FOCUSING ON HIS PROMISES. God is not a man that He should lie. It will come to pass, even if you have to stop by Layoff Avenue and Chemotherapy Road, Divorce Lane and Backbiting Expressway. Everything that happens in your life is so that God can get the glory. He is molding you into His masterpiece. The way I look at it is that it can be an easy or difficult process. Take the time to truly realize and recognize the sovereignty of God and praise Him through your situation. He's working it all out for your good!!!
Dear Lord,
I have spent my lifetime making plans. Sometimes I have consulted you and other times I haven't. Even though I know in my heart of hearts that you will work it all out I still like to put my two cents in. I still like to try to take control back from you. I have a habit of thinking the worse instead of seeing your mighty hand at work. I have caused myself undue stress time and time again instead of leaning and depending on you. I am going to do better at this with your help. Thank you for working out the plans you have for my life. Help me to realize that everything that happens in my life is so that you can get the glory. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Friday, July 23, 2010
When Calm Becomes Chaos!
One thing I have learned in my life is that 'calm can soon become chaos'. What do I mean by this? Let me give you a few examples. You've been working on a job for twenty years and all of a sudden your supervisor calls you in and tells you that they are going to have to lay you off with only two weeks severance package. Calm becomes chaos! Your husband of ten years comes in and says that he's leaving you and doesn't love you any more. Calm becomes chaos! You are sitting on the couch watching television and all of a sudden you feel a sharp pain and are rushed to the hospital and have to have emergency surgery. Calm becomes chaos. You lose a child. A parent dies. Natural disaster destroys your home. Calm becomes chaos! Get my drift!
Jesus had a day when calm became chaos. He went from being praised to being spit on. He went from being worshipped and loved to being crucified. And He went through all of this just for me and you. As I sit and think about my Savior and the sacrifice He made for me, I am overwhelmed and so grateful. He left GLORY so that I would have the right to the tree of life. He could have called ten thousand angels but He never said a mumbling word. He allowed them to put the nails in His hands and feet and pierce Him in the side. He allowed them to put a crown of thorns on His head. But then they made a mistake they llifted Him up. They thought they were embarrassing Him, but they were fulfilling scripture. You do know that the scripture said in John 12:32, 'if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me'. Yet when our calm becomes chaos we react as though the world is coming to an end. At least I do. I have often times wondered how Jesus stayed on task when so much was going on all around Him. I believe that He saw me and you and thought to Himself, "I must complete my task." You do realize that He knew you before you were born. (Psalms 139) He knew each and every problem we would face and decided not to leave us to our own devices. He knew that if we tried to fix it, we would only make matters worse.
So how do we handle our chaos? Let's take a lesson from Jesus. From the time He was born to when He died, Jesus knew His plans. He knew how difficult it would be. He also knew that we would look to Him as an example. As I read Luke 22, I notice that before the chaos hit you find Jesus praying. I also recall Him going by Himself to pray when He sent the disciples ahead to cross to the other side in Matthew 14. 'But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray'. ( Luke 5:16) Here He is teaching us the importance of solitude. And early in the morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there. ( Mark 1:35) He also taught his disciples to pray. Remember The Lord's Prayer. So if there is one thing we can take from Him, it is the importance of prayer. I can't stress this enough. It is simply not enough to pray in emergency situations only. While God will still honor those prayers, wouldn't it be so much better to be able to sit there in the midst of chaos and have peace. No worries....just assurance. Instead of begging and pleading, we spend more time thanking Him because we know it's already done. I believe that is how God wants us to be. When calm becomes chaos, we turn chaos back into calm! We trust God to take care of each and every situation, no matter how unexpected it may seem to be. I have learned that it is difficult for Satan to have any power in an atmosphere of prayer and praise.
Dear Lord,
Just today my calm turned to chaos. I admit that I wasn't prepared and I am a little worried. You know I pray, but not nearly enough. Since you know everything, you probably already knew that when it happened you would hear my voice calling out to you. Especially since that has been what I have done in the past. I need a better prayer life so that I can be better prepared. I am coming to you for help. I hope this doesn't mean more chaos in my life but if it does then I will know how to handle it. I'll know that I need to pray. Morning, noon and night. I believe that all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord. I am trusting you in the midst of chaos and I am praising you now for my return to calm even if the chaos continues. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Jesus had a day when calm became chaos. He went from being praised to being spit on. He went from being worshipped and loved to being crucified. And He went through all of this just for me and you. As I sit and think about my Savior and the sacrifice He made for me, I am overwhelmed and so grateful. He left GLORY so that I would have the right to the tree of life. He could have called ten thousand angels but He never said a mumbling word. He allowed them to put the nails in His hands and feet and pierce Him in the side. He allowed them to put a crown of thorns on His head. But then they made a mistake they llifted Him up. They thought they were embarrassing Him, but they were fulfilling scripture. You do know that the scripture said in John 12:32, 'if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me'. Yet when our calm becomes chaos we react as though the world is coming to an end. At least I do. I have often times wondered how Jesus stayed on task when so much was going on all around Him. I believe that He saw me and you and thought to Himself, "I must complete my task." You do realize that He knew you before you were born. (Psalms 139) He knew each and every problem we would face and decided not to leave us to our own devices. He knew that if we tried to fix it, we would only make matters worse.
So how do we handle our chaos? Let's take a lesson from Jesus. From the time He was born to when He died, Jesus knew His plans. He knew how difficult it would be. He also knew that we would look to Him as an example. As I read Luke 22, I notice that before the chaos hit you find Jesus praying. I also recall Him going by Himself to pray when He sent the disciples ahead to cross to the other side in Matthew 14. 'But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray'. ( Luke 5:16) Here He is teaching us the importance of solitude. And early in the morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there. ( Mark 1:35) He also taught his disciples to pray. Remember The Lord's Prayer. So if there is one thing we can take from Him, it is the importance of prayer. I can't stress this enough. It is simply not enough to pray in emergency situations only. While God will still honor those prayers, wouldn't it be so much better to be able to sit there in the midst of chaos and have peace. No worries....just assurance. Instead of begging and pleading, we spend more time thanking Him because we know it's already done. I believe that is how God wants us to be. When calm becomes chaos, we turn chaos back into calm! We trust God to take care of each and every situation, no matter how unexpected it may seem to be. I have learned that it is difficult for Satan to have any power in an atmosphere of prayer and praise.
Dear Lord,
Just today my calm turned to chaos. I admit that I wasn't prepared and I am a little worried. You know I pray, but not nearly enough. Since you know everything, you probably already knew that when it happened you would hear my voice calling out to you. Especially since that has been what I have done in the past. I need a better prayer life so that I can be better prepared. I am coming to you for help. I hope this doesn't mean more chaos in my life but if it does then I will know how to handle it. I'll know that I need to pray. Morning, noon and night. I believe that all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord. I am trusting you in the midst of chaos and I am praising you now for my return to calm even if the chaos continues. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Outward Appearance vs. Internal Development
We do everything in our power to make sure that our outward appearance is perfect. Most of us have a daily routine that makes sure that this process doesn't go wrong. We prepare our wardrobe the day before. We carefully apply our make-up. We make sure our tie has the perfect knot. We brush our waves. We comb out our curls. We pluck our eyelashes. We trim our nose hairs. All these things done so that what people see is without flaw. But what about the man or woman underneath the clothes, behind the mask?
I am the last person to tell you that you should wear your emotions on your sleeve or be vulnerable in the presence of everyone. I am not like that. For the most part I am a very private person. I don't believe that God meant for everyone to come inside your circle. He is not the author of confusion and the more people sometimes, the more confusion. But I do believe that God wants us to spend more time on our internal development than our outward appearance. Yet when you really stop to think about it which one has the highest priority in your life? There was a point and time in my life when I was more concerned about my outward appearance and my internal development was suffering. My spiritual life was stagnant. I was dressing up and going to church every Sunday and even Wednesday night but I wasn't doing anything else. I was working only on my outward appearance. Somewhere deep down inside I wanted something more...a deeper relationship but I didn't do anything to move in that direction. I began to look at the life of Jesus. As busy as He was here on earth, on several occasions you would find Him alone praying. He was preparing for the task at hand, even up until the very day of His death.
Stop and take a minute and evaluate your daily routine. What things do you do every day to prepare for work, school, etc? Is bible reading included? Is prayer included? Make a list. From that list think about what would happen if you didn't do one thing on that list. I am sure if they made the list then you consider them essential. If prayer and bible study were not on that list then tell me how are you surviving? You might have a good answer for me, but I can tell you that you are not. Remember Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Life was grand until they ate the apple that God had instructed them not to eat. In fact they were naked and yet felt no shame. After eating the fruit they realized they were naked and clothed themselves with leaves. There behavior in the garden started the very behavior we mimic today...covering up.
The God I serve wants to clean us from the inside out. He is more concerned with your heart than the clothing brand you wear. That is why the person who may appear on the outside to be without is the most beautiful person when you talk to them. They have learned what is important. They may not have chosen their current lifestyle. In fact, they may have at one time been an executive with a six figure salary. They may have been the one voted most likely to succeed in the high school yearbook. They may have been Valedictorian. They may have been the one who had the most dates. The one who had the most friends. The one who had the best job. But then life took a sudden turn. And during this difficult time they learned how to truly depend on God. They learned how necessary it is to have daily communion with God. They learned the importance of preparation. Today you have the opportunity to dedicate time to your internal development...to let the light of Jesus radiate from you everywhere you go. To be prepared for whatever you may come up against in life. Will you continue to cover up and make external alterations or choose to focus on what is truly important?
Dear Lord,
I confess that I have been guilty of focusing more on what others may see on the outside versus the Jesus they need to see coming from the inside. I know that I need to make you a regular part of my daily preparation process. Yet, there are days when I neglect you. I'm sorry. I am going to do better, with your help. I want to stop covering up and allow you to clean me up. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
I am the last person to tell you that you should wear your emotions on your sleeve or be vulnerable in the presence of everyone. I am not like that. For the most part I am a very private person. I don't believe that God meant for everyone to come inside your circle. He is not the author of confusion and the more people sometimes, the more confusion. But I do believe that God wants us to spend more time on our internal development than our outward appearance. Yet when you really stop to think about it which one has the highest priority in your life? There was a point and time in my life when I was more concerned about my outward appearance and my internal development was suffering. My spiritual life was stagnant. I was dressing up and going to church every Sunday and even Wednesday night but I wasn't doing anything else. I was working only on my outward appearance. Somewhere deep down inside I wanted something more...a deeper relationship but I didn't do anything to move in that direction. I began to look at the life of Jesus. As busy as He was here on earth, on several occasions you would find Him alone praying. He was preparing for the task at hand, even up until the very day of His death.
Stop and take a minute and evaluate your daily routine. What things do you do every day to prepare for work, school, etc? Is bible reading included? Is prayer included? Make a list. From that list think about what would happen if you didn't do one thing on that list. I am sure if they made the list then you consider them essential. If prayer and bible study were not on that list then tell me how are you surviving? You might have a good answer for me, but I can tell you that you are not. Remember Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Life was grand until they ate the apple that God had instructed them not to eat. In fact they were naked and yet felt no shame. After eating the fruit they realized they were naked and clothed themselves with leaves. There behavior in the garden started the very behavior we mimic today...covering up.
The God I serve wants to clean us from the inside out. He is more concerned with your heart than the clothing brand you wear. That is why the person who may appear on the outside to be without is the most beautiful person when you talk to them. They have learned what is important. They may not have chosen their current lifestyle. In fact, they may have at one time been an executive with a six figure salary. They may have been the one voted most likely to succeed in the high school yearbook. They may have been Valedictorian. They may have been the one who had the most dates. The one who had the most friends. The one who had the best job. But then life took a sudden turn. And during this difficult time they learned how to truly depend on God. They learned how necessary it is to have daily communion with God. They learned the importance of preparation. Today you have the opportunity to dedicate time to your internal development...to let the light of Jesus radiate from you everywhere you go. To be prepared for whatever you may come up against in life. Will you continue to cover up and make external alterations or choose to focus on what is truly important?
Dear Lord,
I confess that I have been guilty of focusing more on what others may see on the outside versus the Jesus they need to see coming from the inside. I know that I need to make you a regular part of my daily preparation process. Yet, there are days when I neglect you. I'm sorry. I am going to do better, with your help. I want to stop covering up and allow you to clean me up. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Shepherd Knows His Sheep
How do you deal with life's stresses? Everything that happens isn't a major storm. I believe that how we learn to handle the everyday stresses in life determine how we handle the major storms of life. The only way I know how to deal with things is to take it to God. I am not a person who does well with wasted time on solutions that I know won't work. So when the stresses of life try to overtake my mind I go to my happy place. My happy place is in Jesus. In this place I am able to escape from the every day worries and cares of life. I call His name and He always answers? Why? Because the Shepherd knows His sheep.
Now when I see a flock of sheep, they all look the same to me. They all have white fur and four legs. But in the eyes of the Shepherd they are all individuals. No two are alike. That is the way we are in the eyes of God. He knows each of us individually by name. Not only that, He cares for all of our needs. There is no problem to small or too big. He just likes us to spend time with Him. We don't have to have an appointment. It doesn't matter how much money we have or what neighborhood we live in. We can talk to him in a whisper or in a loud voice. I don't have to speak with eloquent words. As a matter of fact, sometimes I just call out His name. I can call Him at precisely the same moment you do and yet He still hears me. There is never a busy signal. That is why it's my happy place. I can take all my burdens to the Lord and leave them there. There is no time limit. Sometimes I am just there for a few minutes and other times I am there for hours. Each time I am in this place I wait to hear what the Lord says to me.
John 10:3 says, 'The sheep listen to the voice of the Shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out'. This means that it not just important to take our burdens to Lord but we need to hang around in His presence for guidance and direction. He is ready to give us the exact path we should take. Unfortunately for me, I haven't always waited to hear what God was trying to say to me. I just wanted Him to handle my situation. I didn't always realize that there might be something for me to do. I may be asking Him to take the pain away from a hurtful relationship but I didn't hang around to hear Him tell me I needed to remove myself from the relationship. I may have asked Him to bless me financially but I didn't hang around to hear Him say that I needed to tithe. Open up my hands because closed hands are unable to receive. For every problem, God has a solution. For everytime we wander down our own path and get lost, He has the power to lead us out. You may not have a happy place but it is imperative that you spend time with the Father. Give Him the reins to lead, guide and direct your path. As you continue to grow spiritually God will not only be your solution for emergencies, He will become your daily navigation system. And believe it or not, when the emergency situations do arrive, you will be able to handle them so much better.
Dear Lord,
I know that my past practice has been to come to you only when the situations are bad but today I am deciding to come to you for everything. Not only when I need something, but just to talk. Just to thank you for your many blessings. I want to spend more time in your Word so that I can also get to know you better. So that your ways become my ways and your thoughts become my thoughts. I want to continue to grow in you. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Now when I see a flock of sheep, they all look the same to me. They all have white fur and four legs. But in the eyes of the Shepherd they are all individuals. No two are alike. That is the way we are in the eyes of God. He knows each of us individually by name. Not only that, He cares for all of our needs. There is no problem to small or too big. He just likes us to spend time with Him. We don't have to have an appointment. It doesn't matter how much money we have or what neighborhood we live in. We can talk to him in a whisper or in a loud voice. I don't have to speak with eloquent words. As a matter of fact, sometimes I just call out His name. I can call Him at precisely the same moment you do and yet He still hears me. There is never a busy signal. That is why it's my happy place. I can take all my burdens to the Lord and leave them there. There is no time limit. Sometimes I am just there for a few minutes and other times I am there for hours. Each time I am in this place I wait to hear what the Lord says to me.
John 10:3 says, 'The sheep listen to the voice of the Shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out'. This means that it not just important to take our burdens to Lord but we need to hang around in His presence for guidance and direction. He is ready to give us the exact path we should take. Unfortunately for me, I haven't always waited to hear what God was trying to say to me. I just wanted Him to handle my situation. I didn't always realize that there might be something for me to do. I may be asking Him to take the pain away from a hurtful relationship but I didn't hang around to hear Him tell me I needed to remove myself from the relationship. I may have asked Him to bless me financially but I didn't hang around to hear Him say that I needed to tithe. Open up my hands because closed hands are unable to receive. For every problem, God has a solution. For everytime we wander down our own path and get lost, He has the power to lead us out. You may not have a happy place but it is imperative that you spend time with the Father. Give Him the reins to lead, guide and direct your path. As you continue to grow spiritually God will not only be your solution for emergencies, He will become your daily navigation system. And believe it or not, when the emergency situations do arrive, you will be able to handle them so much better.
Dear Lord,
I know that my past practice has been to come to you only when the situations are bad but today I am deciding to come to you for everything. Not only when I need something, but just to talk. Just to thank you for your many blessings. I want to spend more time in your Word so that I can also get to know you better. So that your ways become my ways and your thoughts become my thoughts. I want to continue to grow in you. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
So Much Noise
Some days it's just so hard to block out the noise. I have my family, the television, the Wii, the cell phone and the i-pod, to name a few. But today I am not talking about that kind of noise. The noise I am speaking about is the noise in my head. Those days when my mind is going a million miles an hour. I'm thinking about all the things that needs to be done. I'm thinking about my dreams for my children, my desires for my family, my friend who is hurting, my parents, the prayer list at the church. Then I stop to realize that it's been such a long time since I've taken any time for myself. I'm not sleeping. My life is in automatic mode. I toss and turn all night in my sleep. It's been a while since I've slept through the night. I get out the bed and peek into my children's room....sound asleep. I come back to bed and lay there. I haven't lost my joy, my hope or my faith. I just can't seem to shut my mind off. I'm reading the Word. I'm praying. I'm sitting in solitude trying to hear God's voice but there is nothing there but dead silence. I'm asking for direction. I'm asking for guidance. My mind wanders. I'm easily distracted. I close my eyes to get refocused. No such luck. I feel like I'm cheating God. Lord, please forgive me....and in the same breath...God please take away all this noise.
Ever been there? It's not a good place to be. I've sat for hours just reading the Word. I've sat for hours just talking to God and telling Him everything. I have been at this very place before and yet this time it seems more difficult. I'm following Him. I'm not sure what direction to go and He hasn't spoken and until He does I won't move. Have I lost my connection? I know I haven't because I know that 'once saved, always saved'. He lives in my heart. I need a verse. I pull out my 'Bible Promise Book'. My mom had one when I was little. I remember reading it with her. The pages were dog-earred. Just about every verse was highlighted. The verses are categorized by need. I skim the table of contents but there is not one that says...to take away the noise. There were, however, scriptures on PEACE. II Thessalonians 3:16 which says, Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. John 14:27 which says, 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as he world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid'. There are scriptures on WORRYING. Philippians 4:19 which says, ' But my God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus'. Psalms 46:1...'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble'. Scriptures on COMFORT. 'The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower'...Psalms 18:2 Also Psalms 37:24 which says, 'Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand'. GUIDANCE....Isaiah 30:21 which says, 'And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Psalms 37:23...'The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his way'.
There were many more subjects and I just continued to read. The noise was fading. I actually got more than three hours of sleep that night. Things were not better overnight, but my strength was renewed. I was still waiting on the Lord. I had no doubt that He would come through in His perfect time. I was learning the meaning of the verse, 'He who has began a good work in you, will carry it through to completion until the day of Jesus Christ'. I am a work in progress. This may not be the last time I have a day like this. What I do know is that God is on my side. He will never leave me hanging. And even though the days may be long and the nights even longer, I will be okay. The sun is going to shine...if I hold out. Thank you Lord!
Dear Lord,
All this noise! I can't get rid of it. I'm stressing out. I am worried. I'm afraid. I know that you have seen me through times like this before but I'm tired. I need a good night's rest. Please help me! You said in your Word that you are an ever present help in times of trouble. This is most definitely a troubling time. I know that you are not far away. I need peace. I'm trusting in you. Thank you Lord for coming to my rescue. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Ever been there? It's not a good place to be. I've sat for hours just reading the Word. I've sat for hours just talking to God and telling Him everything. I have been at this very place before and yet this time it seems more difficult. I'm following Him. I'm not sure what direction to go and He hasn't spoken and until He does I won't move. Have I lost my connection? I know I haven't because I know that 'once saved, always saved'. He lives in my heart. I need a verse. I pull out my 'Bible Promise Book'. My mom had one when I was little. I remember reading it with her. The pages were dog-earred. Just about every verse was highlighted. The verses are categorized by need. I skim the table of contents but there is not one that says...to take away the noise. There were, however, scriptures on PEACE. II Thessalonians 3:16 which says, Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. John 14:27 which says, 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as he world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid'. There are scriptures on WORRYING. Philippians 4:19 which says, ' But my God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus'. Psalms 46:1...'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble'. Scriptures on COMFORT. 'The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower'...Psalms 18:2 Also Psalms 37:24 which says, 'Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand'. GUIDANCE....Isaiah 30:21 which says, 'And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Psalms 37:23...'The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his way'.
There were many more subjects and I just continued to read. The noise was fading. I actually got more than three hours of sleep that night. Things were not better overnight, but my strength was renewed. I was still waiting on the Lord. I had no doubt that He would come through in His perfect time. I was learning the meaning of the verse, 'He who has began a good work in you, will carry it through to completion until the day of Jesus Christ'. I am a work in progress. This may not be the last time I have a day like this. What I do know is that God is on my side. He will never leave me hanging. And even though the days may be long and the nights even longer, I will be okay. The sun is going to shine...if I hold out. Thank you Lord!
Dear Lord,
All this noise! I can't get rid of it. I'm stressing out. I am worried. I'm afraid. I know that you have seen me through times like this before but I'm tired. I need a good night's rest. Please help me! You said in your Word that you are an ever present help in times of trouble. This is most definitely a troubling time. I know that you are not far away. I need peace. I'm trusting in you. Thank you Lord for coming to my rescue. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Monday, July 19, 2010
This Too Shall Pass
In the midst of your suffering it is very difficult to see past the dark clouds. I remember earlier this year when it rained for what seemed like two weeks straight and then we had a few days break and it started to rain again. This wasn't just a smooth, steady rain. There was thunder and lightening and fear of tornadoes. I remember thinking it was going to rain forever. But it didn't.
Sometimes in life it seems as though the storm is going to last forever. The hurt and pain is never going to end. But thanks be to God that is not how the story ends. As I was reading and praying and spending some quiet time with God, I came across this verse. II Corinthians 1:5 which reads, 'You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ'. Of course we don't see our suffering as for Christ while we are going through it, but I tell you my brother and my sister it most certainly is. As a child of God we must believe that our suffering is so God can get the glory. A dear friend of mine said to me a few days ago that she would look back on her situation and wonder how she made it through. Of course, both she and I know how she is going to make it through. WITH GOD! But just like when the sky is dark and it's raining, often times we don't see a break in the clouds. It's just one storm after another. It starts off with your job which affects your finances which affects your marriage which then affects yours health. Just one storm after another. But as the verse above reads, the more you suffer, the more God provides. I felt so good after reading this. It gave me, once again, that blessed assurance that things would work out for my good. And this is the same assurance that you should have.
Verse 6 goes on to say that, ' So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be and encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer'. Although you may not see it right now and you may not receive much comfort from this while you are in the midst of your storm, you can rest assure your victory will be a testimony that will help someone else. The Bible is my favorite book. I believe within it lies everything I will ever need next to personal communion with God. But when I can look at the sister or brother sitting next to me and see how they got over and hear their story, it makes it all the more real to me. The same holds true for you. Be encouraged! What God has done for others, He will do for you.
I leave you with the words of a song by one of my favorite singers Yolanda Adams....'This too shall pass'.
In the middle of the turbulence surrounding you; These trying times that are so hard to endure
In the middle of what seems to be your darkest hour; Hold fast your heart and be assured
This too shall pass, like every night that's come before it.He'll never give you more than you can bear
This too shall pass, so in this thought be comforted. It's in His Hands. This too shall pass
The Father knows the tears you cry before they fall. He feels your pain, His heart and yours are one
The Father knows that sorrow's heavy chains are strong. But with His strength, you'll overcome
So set your eyes upon the mountain and lift your hands up to the sky.
And let His arms of love surround you and take you to the other side.
Dear Lord,
I see no end in sight. It seems like the pain is never going to end. I know all the right things to say and I keep telling myself those things every day but the pain is still the same. The rain is still coming down. I need you. I need you right now. I am holding to your unchanging hand. Thank you Father in advance for your comfort. I know that I can make it. Thank you for strength. Thank you for comfort. Thank you for peace. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Sometimes in life it seems as though the storm is going to last forever. The hurt and pain is never going to end. But thanks be to God that is not how the story ends. As I was reading and praying and spending some quiet time with God, I came across this verse. II Corinthians 1:5 which reads, 'You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ'. Of course we don't see our suffering as for Christ while we are going through it, but I tell you my brother and my sister it most certainly is. As a child of God we must believe that our suffering is so God can get the glory. A dear friend of mine said to me a few days ago that she would look back on her situation and wonder how she made it through. Of course, both she and I know how she is going to make it through. WITH GOD! But just like when the sky is dark and it's raining, often times we don't see a break in the clouds. It's just one storm after another. It starts off with your job which affects your finances which affects your marriage which then affects yours health. Just one storm after another. But as the verse above reads, the more you suffer, the more God provides. I felt so good after reading this. It gave me, once again, that blessed assurance that things would work out for my good. And this is the same assurance that you should have.
Verse 6 goes on to say that, ' So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be and encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer'. Although you may not see it right now and you may not receive much comfort from this while you are in the midst of your storm, you can rest assure your victory will be a testimony that will help someone else. The Bible is my favorite book. I believe within it lies everything I will ever need next to personal communion with God. But when I can look at the sister or brother sitting next to me and see how they got over and hear their story, it makes it all the more real to me. The same holds true for you. Be encouraged! What God has done for others, He will do for you.
I leave you with the words of a song by one of my favorite singers Yolanda Adams....'This too shall pass'.
In the middle of the turbulence surrounding you; These trying times that are so hard to endure
In the middle of what seems to be your darkest hour; Hold fast your heart and be assured
This too shall pass, like every night that's come before it.He'll never give you more than you can bear
This too shall pass, so in this thought be comforted. It's in His Hands. This too shall pass
The Father knows the tears you cry before they fall. He feels your pain, His heart and yours are one
The Father knows that sorrow's heavy chains are strong. But with His strength, you'll overcome
So set your eyes upon the mountain and lift your hands up to the sky.
And let His arms of love surround you and take you to the other side.
Dear Lord,
I see no end in sight. It seems like the pain is never going to end. I know all the right things to say and I keep telling myself those things every day but the pain is still the same. The rain is still coming down. I need you. I need you right now. I am holding to your unchanging hand. Thank you Father in advance for your comfort. I know that I can make it. Thank you for strength. Thank you for comfort. Thank you for peace. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Growing Up in the Lord
Why is it that we as "Christians" take pleasure in another person's suffering? This is something that has puzzled me for a long time. Do you not realize that you are either coming out of a storm, in a storm or getting ready to go into a storm? And the very person you are laughing at or talking about may be the very person God uses to bless you in your time of need. Suffering is no respecter of persons. Suffering will hit all of us at some time and it is during that time that you truly learn who is in your corner. That is why you will always hear me say that the believer should be in constant prayer. Prayer for ourselves and those close to us. Yet, what do we do..we talk about our brother or our sister when they are down. We spread lies and gossip about them. How can you continue to hear and receive the Word of God and continue to do these things? The Bible says that 'the Word is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Simply put..the Word of God should convict you. It is one of the tools God uses to change our hearts. Taking delight in another person's suffering is just plain wrong.
The Bible also tells us to 'bear ye one another's burdens'. How do we do this? By praying. Why should we pray? I will use my own life as an example. When I was going through, most times I didn't have the strength to pray. You will often hear me say that during my lowest moments it was the 'prayers of the righteous' that helped me. I believe that with all my heart. Women especially need to be better at this. Instead we look at another person's life with envy and jealousy. It's not about that. You don't know that person's story or what they may have had to go through to get the blessings they have received. All we are able to see is what we think is the finished project. Although even at our best we are still but a work in progress in the eyes of the Lord. We will never be all that we can be while living down here on this earth but we can strive to be all that God wants us to be during our journey. If we learn to live our lives as if God were sitting right next to us, we wouldn't be so quick to judge. I've said before that we are quick to ask God for material things and even some of the immaterial things. But if you know you have a problem with your tongue, then ask God every morning to 'let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O God, my strength and my Redeemer'. If you just can't shake that feeling of envy or jealousy toward your brother or your sister, ask God to help you to be satisfied with what He has blessed you with, knowing that if He is blessing them that means He is still in the blessing business. Ask Him to help you to show the love of Christ in everything that you do. God's power encompasses so much and He is ables to do so much more than we could ever imagine or think. As you study His Word and commune with Him, allow Him to change all of you for the better, to be used as a soldier in His army.
Dear Lord,
It seems that everytime I have started going along a better path something comes to trip me up. I admit that I take my eyes off you and start to look at other people. I sometimes start to compare them with where I am in my life right now. I know that I shouldn't do this because I could be blocking my very own blessing. Yet I still think the thoughts and sometimes participate in those conversations with other. Lord, help me to control my tongue. I do want to be happy for my brother and my sister. Help me to look to you when I feel the urge. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
The Bible also tells us to 'bear ye one another's burdens'. How do we do this? By praying. Why should we pray? I will use my own life as an example. When I was going through, most times I didn't have the strength to pray. You will often hear me say that during my lowest moments it was the 'prayers of the righteous' that helped me. I believe that with all my heart. Women especially need to be better at this. Instead we look at another person's life with envy and jealousy. It's not about that. You don't know that person's story or what they may have had to go through to get the blessings they have received. All we are able to see is what we think is the finished project. Although even at our best we are still but a work in progress in the eyes of the Lord. We will never be all that we can be while living down here on this earth but we can strive to be all that God wants us to be during our journey. If we learn to live our lives as if God were sitting right next to us, we wouldn't be so quick to judge. I've said before that we are quick to ask God for material things and even some of the immaterial things. But if you know you have a problem with your tongue, then ask God every morning to 'let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O God, my strength and my Redeemer'. If you just can't shake that feeling of envy or jealousy toward your brother or your sister, ask God to help you to be satisfied with what He has blessed you with, knowing that if He is blessing them that means He is still in the blessing business. Ask Him to help you to show the love of Christ in everything that you do. God's power encompasses so much and He is ables to do so much more than we could ever imagine or think. As you study His Word and commune with Him, allow Him to change all of you for the better, to be used as a soldier in His army.
Dear Lord,
It seems that everytime I have started going along a better path something comes to trip me up. I admit that I take my eyes off you and start to look at other people. I sometimes start to compare them with where I am in my life right now. I know that I shouldn't do this because I could be blocking my very own blessing. Yet I still think the thoughts and sometimes participate in those conversations with other. Lord, help me to control my tongue. I do want to be happy for my brother and my sister. Help me to look to you when I feel the urge. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
It Is Well With My Soul!
When peace, like a river ,attendeth my waves; when sorrows like sea billows roll.
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.
Such a beautiful song! Such soothing words! I have sang this song since I was a child and it was not until this last year that I truly appreciated and understood the words. Life is not easy. There are so many different things we have to deal with. But God did not leave us defenseless. When He decided to send His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins, it was so we would have everything we need. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING! He is water when you are thirsty! Bread when you are hungry! He will be a mother to the motherless and a father to the fatherless. All these things may sound cliche to you, but just wait until you need Him to be these things and He shows up and shows out. If you're lonely, He will reach down and give you a big bear hug. Sad and He will comfort you. Depressed ... He will lift up your bowed down head.
As I reflect back over my life and I see where God has brought me from, I can truly say that there has never been a time that He has not met my every need. You see, one of the very best things He gave me was PEACE. Peace in every circumstance. It is no longer about what I can see, when circumstances and situations are difficult. It is always about what I cannot see, because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is in control. I have a confidence that seems crazy to the human eye. Yet, to the spiritual eye, I know God is smiling. I believe it gives Him great joy when He sees His child truly depending on Him. And it's real. I have truly learned to look at the positive and try to see God's hand working in everything.
I lost my job last August and when I say God has been my EVERYTHING, he has! My family and I have not missed a beat and I know that God is the one that has supplied our needs. There are people around me that have not understood why I continue to smile and praise Him. My response to them...Is there any alternative? Have you ever stopped to think about what if God was not there to help you? Boy, would we be in bad shape.That is why I can say that I am at peace and I can sing that it is well with my soul!
John 14: 27 says, 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid'. That is why we don't have to worry. That is why we don't have to fret. Things are gonna happen, but we must learn to trust God, whatever comes our way because He is faithful to do just what He has promised! We must believe! Our physical eyes have short-term vision. Our spiritual eyes see long-term. Today for you may be dark and gloomy, but HOLD ON! God is in control and He will give you peace that surpasses all understanding. Just trust Him!
Dear Lord,
I haven't done my best at trusting you. I have waivered back and forth and only looked at things through my physical eyes but I am tired or worrying. I am tired of the sleepless nights and long days. I want to be able to put the car in neutral and let you drive. I want you to order my steps and give me peace. I know that you can and I believe that you will. Thank you Father for everything you have done for me, even those things that I have foolishly taken credit for. I know that those things were only possible because of the ability you have given me. I love you Lord. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.
Such a beautiful song! Such soothing words! I have sang this song since I was a child and it was not until this last year that I truly appreciated and understood the words. Life is not easy. There are so many different things we have to deal with. But God did not leave us defenseless. When He decided to send His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins, it was so we would have everything we need. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING! He is water when you are thirsty! Bread when you are hungry! He will be a mother to the motherless and a father to the fatherless. All these things may sound cliche to you, but just wait until you need Him to be these things and He shows up and shows out. If you're lonely, He will reach down and give you a big bear hug. Sad and He will comfort you. Depressed ... He will lift up your bowed down head.
As I reflect back over my life and I see where God has brought me from, I can truly say that there has never been a time that He has not met my every need. You see, one of the very best things He gave me was PEACE. Peace in every circumstance. It is no longer about what I can see, when circumstances and situations are difficult. It is always about what I cannot see, because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is in control. I have a confidence that seems crazy to the human eye. Yet, to the spiritual eye, I know God is smiling. I believe it gives Him great joy when He sees His child truly depending on Him. And it's real. I have truly learned to look at the positive and try to see God's hand working in everything.
I lost my job last August and when I say God has been my EVERYTHING, he has! My family and I have not missed a beat and I know that God is the one that has supplied our needs. There are people around me that have not understood why I continue to smile and praise Him. My response to them...Is there any alternative? Have you ever stopped to think about what if God was not there to help you? Boy, would we be in bad shape.That is why I can say that I am at peace and I can sing that it is well with my soul!
John 14: 27 says, 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid'. That is why we don't have to worry. That is why we don't have to fret. Things are gonna happen, but we must learn to trust God, whatever comes our way because He is faithful to do just what He has promised! We must believe! Our physical eyes have short-term vision. Our spiritual eyes see long-term. Today for you may be dark and gloomy, but HOLD ON! God is in control and He will give you peace that surpasses all understanding. Just trust Him!
Dear Lord,
I haven't done my best at trusting you. I have waivered back and forth and only looked at things through my physical eyes but I am tired or worrying. I am tired of the sleepless nights and long days. I want to be able to put the car in neutral and let you drive. I want you to order my steps and give me peace. I know that you can and I believe that you will. Thank you Father for everything you have done for me, even those things that I have foolishly taken credit for. I know that those things were only possible because of the ability you have given me. I love you Lord. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Why Worry When You Can Pray
I saw a bumper sticker recently that said, 'If you worry, why pray!' It stuck in my mind the entire day as I went through my normal routine. Although it was not a normal day. Everything seemed off that day. I just felt like crying all day. I wasn't feeling all that great. It seemed like anything that could go wrong, went wrong. I felt sad on the inside, but kept smiling on the outside. Isn't that what we all do though? We have something going on in our lives and we want to keep it all to ourselves. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with being a private person but it is also okay to let others know that something is wrong and you need a little prayer.
When we worry I believe that we tie God's hands. Even if we have prayed, our worrying makes us work to think of ways to try and fix the situation ourselves instead of turning it over to God completely. Often times my "fixing" only creates more problems. What good does worrying do? Does it change the situation? I am a person that is all about solutions. I don't want to meet to talk about the problem. Let's meet to talk about the solution. And the best solution to any problem is to turn it over to God. I remember times when I would cry and cry wondering if God was listening to me. After all, He couldn't possibly be listening to me because it was now the third week and I was still struggling with the same problem. I knew all the right things to do. Just as I am sure the ones reading this today know all the right things to do. The Bible tells us to 'Cast our cares on Him for He careth for you'. We have all been told since we were children to take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there. But we are such a microwave generation. We want everything quick, fast and in a hurry. There isn't anything necessarily wrong with that but when God is at work molding and shaping us, sometimes quick, fast and in a hurry can be two years. Now that was just my time frame on one particular situation. Yours could be completely different. Whatever the time frame may be, we should have the confidence to know that He is always at work. The storm won't last always and we should never stop praying. You see, God isn't like a parent who after a while grows tired of a child asking the same thing over and over again. He loves to hear our voice and wants us to turn it over to Him. Why not do it today? Why not work to develop the habit of praying to God for absolutely everything? He already knows and He is waiting for you to turn it over to Him. And even if it takes, what you consider to be a long time frame, just know that He will sustain you and be a fence all around you, no matter how big or how small the problem may be. Trust Him. He can work it out. Let's change our habits, instead of worrying PRAY!
Dear Lord,
I feel like I have been in this storm too long. I prayed a while ago and nothing changed. Today I am coming to you and finally turning it all over to you. I'm tired of worrying and wondering when things are going to get better. I am going to stop focusing on the problem and instead focus on you. I know that you are able. I also know that you will sustain me. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
When we worry I believe that we tie God's hands. Even if we have prayed, our worrying makes us work to think of ways to try and fix the situation ourselves instead of turning it over to God completely. Often times my "fixing" only creates more problems. What good does worrying do? Does it change the situation? I am a person that is all about solutions. I don't want to meet to talk about the problem. Let's meet to talk about the solution. And the best solution to any problem is to turn it over to God. I remember times when I would cry and cry wondering if God was listening to me. After all, He couldn't possibly be listening to me because it was now the third week and I was still struggling with the same problem. I knew all the right things to do. Just as I am sure the ones reading this today know all the right things to do. The Bible tells us to 'Cast our cares on Him for He careth for you'. We have all been told since we were children to take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there. But we are such a microwave generation. We want everything quick, fast and in a hurry. There isn't anything necessarily wrong with that but when God is at work molding and shaping us, sometimes quick, fast and in a hurry can be two years. Now that was just my time frame on one particular situation. Yours could be completely different. Whatever the time frame may be, we should have the confidence to know that He is always at work. The storm won't last always and we should never stop praying. You see, God isn't like a parent who after a while grows tired of a child asking the same thing over and over again. He loves to hear our voice and wants us to turn it over to Him. Why not do it today? Why not work to develop the habit of praying to God for absolutely everything? He already knows and He is waiting for you to turn it over to Him. And even if it takes, what you consider to be a long time frame, just know that He will sustain you and be a fence all around you, no matter how big or how small the problem may be. Trust Him. He can work it out. Let's change our habits, instead of worrying PRAY!
Dear Lord,
I feel like I have been in this storm too long. I prayed a while ago and nothing changed. Today I am coming to you and finally turning it all over to you. I'm tired of worrying and wondering when things are going to get better. I am going to stop focusing on the problem and instead focus on you. I know that you are able. I also know that you will sustain me. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Monday, July 12, 2010
God as a Resource
One of the hardest things for a person to deal with is the loss of a loved one. As I have sat everyday with a dear friend of mine and talked to comfort her in the loss of her father there were some things she said that made me think of God as a resource for everything. I didn't have all the right words to say but I knew where I could get the words from. I also knew the One who could her; the only problem is that we don't always utilize that resource. We tend to want to stand in our own strength. The question I want to pose today is why don't we utilize our resource?
God has everything we need all we have to do is ask. He may have given us earthly beings to help supply those needs but don't you know that they are agents of God. A father is the closest resemblance of God. He does everything he can to make sure that we never go without. And just like our Heavenly Father, there are times when we do not heed the wisdom given to us. We go off on our own, once we graduate from school, and make our own attempt at being grown. All along our Heavenly Father is sitting back and watching and waiting to meet any need that we may have. Sometimes he steps in when we don't ask. In talking to my friend she kept repeating over and over again that she did not want to feel the pain. My response to her was that you don't have too.. Lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus ask Him to take the pain away. All He was waiting on was for her to ask. Whatever situation you may be going through, God is waiting for you to give it to Him and use your resource. Think of it this way...what is you broke your leg and you could walk but only with a crutch. Wouldn't you want to use that crutch until your leg healed and you could stand on your own? That is the same way our God is. He is our resource and their to meet all of our needs. Most of the time we only look to Him for our physical needs when we should look to Him for our physical needs as well. I challenge you this week as different things come up in your life, use your resource. He's ready, willing and able to fix it for you.
Dear Lord,
I am so lost right now and the pain seems unbearable. I need you to come and take the pain away. I know that I don't always see you as a God that can handle my emotional needs but today is a new day, and I am asking that you help to heal my broken heart. I know that you can. I believe that you will. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
God has everything we need all we have to do is ask. He may have given us earthly beings to help supply those needs but don't you know that they are agents of God. A father is the closest resemblance of God. He does everything he can to make sure that we never go without. And just like our Heavenly Father, there are times when we do not heed the wisdom given to us. We go off on our own, once we graduate from school, and make our own attempt at being grown. All along our Heavenly Father is sitting back and watching and waiting to meet any need that we may have. Sometimes he steps in when we don't ask. In talking to my friend she kept repeating over and over again that she did not want to feel the pain. My response to her was that you don't have too.. Lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus ask Him to take the pain away. All He was waiting on was for her to ask. Whatever situation you may be going through, God is waiting for you to give it to Him and use your resource. Think of it this way...what is you broke your leg and you could walk but only with a crutch. Wouldn't you want to use that crutch until your leg healed and you could stand on your own? That is the same way our God is. He is our resource and their to meet all of our needs. Most of the time we only look to Him for our physical needs when we should look to Him for our physical needs as well. I challenge you this week as different things come up in your life, use your resource. He's ready, willing and able to fix it for you.
Dear Lord,
I am so lost right now and the pain seems unbearable. I need you to come and take the pain away. I know that I don't always see you as a God that can handle my emotional needs but today is a new day, and I am asking that you help to heal my broken heart. I know that you can. I believe that you will. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Payback
During a person's life I bet there are many people who you want to get revenge on. But is that the Godly thing to do. When someone hurts you, how do you react? Is your first instinct to pay them back? What about when that friend lies on you or spreads a nasty rumor about you, do you then decide to take the secrets they have confided in you with and tell someone else? What about when your co-worker takes credit for your idea and receives a promotion, do you then start to look for something to tell the boss on him/her about? If these are your reactions then you are not following the principles taught in Romans 12: 17:19 which says, Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as it is possible. Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord.
Yet another principle that God requires of us that is most difficult if we do it of our own strength. The question I want to pose to you today is...what do you gain from revenge? Your answer might be that it makes you feel good at the moment. Another answer might be that it helps you to feel like no one is taking advantage of you. But when it's all over said and done with, have you gained anything. You see, when we decide to fight our own battles and take revenge on someone that has done us wrong, we become no better than the person that has mistreated us. My experience in life has taught me that God can get you far worse than anything another person could ever do and no one has to know about it. We want revenge because we want to see what happens to the other person. But God says, leave it to Him. Remember the song that says, 'If I hold my peace, let the Lord fight my battles. I know that the victory shall be mine. Victory shall be mine'.
This journey is about growth. There comes a time when we should no longer be as babes on milk. You cannot be in the presence of the Lord and continue to behave as those who are not saved. Revenge is not of God. I know that people can do some things that make you want to just go out and get them, but if you do then God is going to have to turn right around and get you. My daughters love to take matters in their own hands. One will hit the other one and then there is a series of licks passed back and forth. They haven't yet realized that only mama can handle the situation. And because they haven't learned this valuable lesson, I have to get both of them. Don't be as the child who doesn't know any better. Let the Lord fight your battles for you.
Dear Lord,
I don't like to be taken advantage of. I really don't like anyone to mistreat me or my family or my friends. When they do my first reaction is to get them back. I know that is not the right thing to do. Please help me to leave these situations in your hands. Help me to hold my peace and let you fight my battles. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Yet another principle that God requires of us that is most difficult if we do it of our own strength. The question I want to pose to you today is...what do you gain from revenge? Your answer might be that it makes you feel good at the moment. Another answer might be that it helps you to feel like no one is taking advantage of you. But when it's all over said and done with, have you gained anything. You see, when we decide to fight our own battles and take revenge on someone that has done us wrong, we become no better than the person that has mistreated us. My experience in life has taught me that God can get you far worse than anything another person could ever do and no one has to know about it. We want revenge because we want to see what happens to the other person. But God says, leave it to Him. Remember the song that says, 'If I hold my peace, let the Lord fight my battles. I know that the victory shall be mine. Victory shall be mine'.
This journey is about growth. There comes a time when we should no longer be as babes on milk. You cannot be in the presence of the Lord and continue to behave as those who are not saved. Revenge is not of God. I know that people can do some things that make you want to just go out and get them, but if you do then God is going to have to turn right around and get you. My daughters love to take matters in their own hands. One will hit the other one and then there is a series of licks passed back and forth. They haven't yet realized that only mama can handle the situation. And because they haven't learned this valuable lesson, I have to get both of them. Don't be as the child who doesn't know any better. Let the Lord fight your battles for you.
Dear Lord,
I don't like to be taken advantage of. I really don't like anyone to mistreat me or my family or my friends. When they do my first reaction is to get them back. I know that is not the right thing to do. Please help me to leave these situations in your hands. Help me to hold my peace and let you fight my battles. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Happy in Trouble
Did you know that God has great plans for you? He mapped it out before you were even born. He thought about you as you were being formed in your mother's womb. Just read Psalms 139. He knows everything there is to know about you and He is working out the kinks in your life. Isn't that great news!!!!
Romans 12:12 says, " Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful."
One of the most difficult times to pray is when you are in trouble. If you are anything like me, when you are in trouble or there is a storm going on, your first instinct is to just run and hide and wait for it to pass. But that is not what we are supposed to do as Christians. We are supposed to be in prayer. What are we supposed to pray about? Why not tell the Lord thank you for the storm because you know that it won't last forever. Prayer provides so much more than just an exit out of the storm. Prayer can give you peace. Prayer can give you stick-to-it-tive-ness to ride the storm out. Prayer shows God that you are still trusting Him to work it out. God is not just sitting around saying, "Okay let me see how much bad I can cause my child." There is always a purpose behind the pain. As I look back over my life, I can say that every test and trial that I have gone through has helped to make me the person that I am today. I wouldn't trust the Lord the way I do. I wouldn't love Him as much as I do if it had not been for those times that taught me that He is to be the first person I turn to in every situation. You see I learned the secret! I learned that God is always at work. I learned that there is never a time when He isn't working to see His plan come to pass. That is why it does no good for us to plan anything. Let God be your guide. When you learn to trust Him in everything, you will also learn to be glad in whatever situation you are going through.
Dear Lord,
In the past I have not always looked forward to the future of the work you are doing in my life. I tend to have present tense vision and can't seem to see past my problem. But today, I am thanking you for what you are planning in my life. I know that whatever it is, it will be great! Thank you Father. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Romans 12:12 says, " Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful."
One of the most difficult times to pray is when you are in trouble. If you are anything like me, when you are in trouble or there is a storm going on, your first instinct is to just run and hide and wait for it to pass. But that is not what we are supposed to do as Christians. We are supposed to be in prayer. What are we supposed to pray about? Why not tell the Lord thank you for the storm because you know that it won't last forever. Prayer provides so much more than just an exit out of the storm. Prayer can give you peace. Prayer can give you stick-to-it-tive-ness to ride the storm out. Prayer shows God that you are still trusting Him to work it out. God is not just sitting around saying, "Okay let me see how much bad I can cause my child." There is always a purpose behind the pain. As I look back over my life, I can say that every test and trial that I have gone through has helped to make me the person that I am today. I wouldn't trust the Lord the way I do. I wouldn't love Him as much as I do if it had not been for those times that taught me that He is to be the first person I turn to in every situation. You see I learned the secret! I learned that God is always at work. I learned that there is never a time when He isn't working to see His plan come to pass. That is why it does no good for us to plan anything. Let God be your guide. When you learn to trust Him in everything, you will also learn to be glad in whatever situation you are going through.
Dear Lord,
In the past I have not always looked forward to the future of the work you are doing in my life. I tend to have present tense vision and can't seem to see past my problem. But today, I am thanking you for what you are planning in my life. I know that whatever it is, it will be great! Thank you Father. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Genuine Love
I love people. I want everyone to be blessed and do well in whatever it is that they set out to do. Now, I don't always like everyone because some people are mean and they make it their life's mission to ruin your day. But even with all that, I still love everyone and even pray that those people finally see the light and know that nothing good can come from having a negative, bad attitude all the time.
Romans 12:9-10 says, 'Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand of the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.'
Some people would say that my opening statement was false. Nobody can love everyone all the time. But I say, yes you can! If God tells us to do something than He will give us the power to do it! Notice that I did not say that I like everyone all of the time. I am also justified in saying that because just as we are told to really love our brothers and our sisters, we are also told to hate that which is wrong. Do you think that someone who makes it their life mission to cause misery to others is doing what is right? Some people let the jealous gene eat at their spirit and so they try to find fault in somebody else so that they can bring it to the surface and tell others. I hope that I am not speaking about anyone reading this today. But if I am, ask God to help you with that. Ask Him to show you what it is that makes you behave that way. I guarantee that He can take it out of you and help you to first love yourself and then to love others.
But back to the loving others...just as it takes more energy to frown than to smile....it takes less energy to love when we do it with the help of the Lord. And I know you are saying, No ma'am you are wrong. It's hard to love so-and-so. But it really isn't. Whatever it is that the person is doing to make it hard to love them, take a moment and think about all you do to disappoint the Lord over and over again and yet He still loves you. Not only does He love you, He does it without a second thought. Now that's real love. If we make it a point to forgive more and understand that we all make mistakes and fall short, then we will understand the person on the other end who we sometimes feel doesn't deserve our love. As you realize this more every day, it will become easier. And the love that you show won't be fake affection, it will be genuine, because it is the love of Christ.
Dear Lord,
I admit I am one of those people who find it difficult to love, especially when someone does me wrong. I need your help to love with the love of Christ. I need your help to show that genuine kind of love that helps to change the hearts of others. I know that with you I can show that type of love. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Romans 12:9-10 says, 'Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand of the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.'
Some people would say that my opening statement was false. Nobody can love everyone all the time. But I say, yes you can! If God tells us to do something than He will give us the power to do it! Notice that I did not say that I like everyone all of the time. I am also justified in saying that because just as we are told to really love our brothers and our sisters, we are also told to hate that which is wrong. Do you think that someone who makes it their life mission to cause misery to others is doing what is right? Some people let the jealous gene eat at their spirit and so they try to find fault in somebody else so that they can bring it to the surface and tell others. I hope that I am not speaking about anyone reading this today. But if I am, ask God to help you with that. Ask Him to show you what it is that makes you behave that way. I guarantee that He can take it out of you and help you to first love yourself and then to love others.
But back to the loving others...just as it takes more energy to frown than to smile....it takes less energy to love when we do it with the help of the Lord. And I know you are saying, No ma'am you are wrong. It's hard to love so-and-so. But it really isn't. Whatever it is that the person is doing to make it hard to love them, take a moment and think about all you do to disappoint the Lord over and over again and yet He still loves you. Not only does He love you, He does it without a second thought. Now that's real love. If we make it a point to forgive more and understand that we all make mistakes and fall short, then we will understand the person on the other end who we sometimes feel doesn't deserve our love. As you realize this more every day, it will become easier. And the love that you show won't be fake affection, it will be genuine, because it is the love of Christ.
Dear Lord,
I admit I am one of those people who find it difficult to love, especially when someone does me wrong. I need your help to love with the love of Christ. I need your help to show that genuine kind of love that helps to change the hearts of others. I know that with you I can show that type of love. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Healthy Self-Esteem
'I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about somebody who can save anybody.'
Each day as I read God's word and pray, I ask Him what He would like for me to share with others. There are days when I receive comments that thank me for letting God use me as His vessel and it could be very easy for me to get the 'Big Head'. But as I continue on in the path God has set before me I am careful to have healthy self-esteem but not to become a "goody-too-shoes" or think of myself more highly than I ought to think.
Read with me Romans 12:3. It says, 'As God's messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God as given you.' I would encourage you to read the entire twelfth chapter of Romans. It is a great read.
We are all God's messengers. All of us may not have the same calling, but we are all working for the Lord. Some of us are preachers. Some of us are teachers. Some of us can lift someones spirits with the sound of our voice as we sing praises to God. Some of us serve others. Some of us can simply smile at someone and make the world a better place for someone else. Whatever it is that you do, know that you are called. It can be very easy to lose sight of what our primary goal is and take our eyes off Jesus and start to look at ourselves as the one who is doing it all. I can't count how many times I hear people say, "I did this. I am the one working everyday; I did this. I'm the one who put in all the hours studying to get up in front of these people and preach or teach." How silly it is for anyone to think this way! Don't you know that it is God who gave you your gift. Without Him you are nothing. That is why the scripture tells us to be honest in your estimate of yourself.
If you are a preacher, then determine to be the best preacher you can be. If you are a teacher, decide to be the best preacher you can be. If you are a server, a singer, a hugger, someone who smiles....whatever it is be the best person you can be. But never forget that your gift came from God and just as He gave it to you, He can take it away. Healthy self-esteem is great. I know so many people who battle with feelings of insecurity. I am one of them. But I don't let that stop me from doing the work of the Lord. Because I know that whatever I need, God's got it!
Dear Lord,
I come to you today humble. I know that you have given me a gift and I want to continue to use it for your glory. Help me to never think of myself as better than anyone else. Everything I have is because of you. Let my estimate of myself only be what you see when you look at me. And I know that I am but a filthy rag who has been washed in the blood of the Lamb. Thank you for thinking enough of me to want to use me in your service. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Each day as I read God's word and pray, I ask Him what He would like for me to share with others. There are days when I receive comments that thank me for letting God use me as His vessel and it could be very easy for me to get the 'Big Head'. But as I continue on in the path God has set before me I am careful to have healthy self-esteem but not to become a "goody-too-shoes" or think of myself more highly than I ought to think.
Read with me Romans 12:3. It says, 'As God's messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God as given you.' I would encourage you to read the entire twelfth chapter of Romans. It is a great read.
We are all God's messengers. All of us may not have the same calling, but we are all working for the Lord. Some of us are preachers. Some of us are teachers. Some of us can lift someones spirits with the sound of our voice as we sing praises to God. Some of us serve others. Some of us can simply smile at someone and make the world a better place for someone else. Whatever it is that you do, know that you are called. It can be very easy to lose sight of what our primary goal is and take our eyes off Jesus and start to look at ourselves as the one who is doing it all. I can't count how many times I hear people say, "I did this. I am the one working everyday; I did this. I'm the one who put in all the hours studying to get up in front of these people and preach or teach." How silly it is for anyone to think this way! Don't you know that it is God who gave you your gift. Without Him you are nothing. That is why the scripture tells us to be honest in your estimate of yourself.
If you are a preacher, then determine to be the best preacher you can be. If you are a teacher, decide to be the best preacher you can be. If you are a server, a singer, a hugger, someone who smiles....whatever it is be the best person you can be. But never forget that your gift came from God and just as He gave it to you, He can take it away. Healthy self-esteem is great. I know so many people who battle with feelings of insecurity. I am one of them. But I don't let that stop me from doing the work of the Lord. Because I know that whatever I need, God's got it!
Dear Lord,
I come to you today humble. I know that you have given me a gift and I want to continue to use it for your glory. Help me to never think of myself as better than anyone else. Everything I have is because of you. Let my estimate of myself only be what you see when you look at me. And I know that I am but a filthy rag who has been washed in the blood of the Lamb. Thank you for thinking enough of me to want to use me in your service. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Confident
Life can just be so overwhelming at times. Even the best laid out plans can go awry. I have been reading through the Psalms lately and I recognized a pattern. Boy was David distraught and overwhelmed. He was distressed, afraid and worried. But even when all of this was going on, he remained confident in the Lord. He realized that no matter what he had to face....God would take care of him. It made me wonder if I had that same kind of faith in God.
I am sure David had days where he just wanted to run away and hide. I am sure he had moments of depression. There were times he felt insecure. He was afraid, stressed out and just wanted to scream. Sounds a lot like my life. What about you? It would be so nice to experience the kind of confidence David had in the Psalms with all the craziness that life can bring. How do you accomplish this kind of confidence? I don't believe that it comes overnight. I believe that it is developed through life experiences. I don't know about you but I have put my faith in people and they will let you down every time. But the God I serve will never let you down. He may not give you the answer that you want, but He can certainly be trusted to keep His promises. That is why we can lean and depend on Him through everything. You see, God keeping His promises is not about us. It's all about Him. Remember the verse that says, 'Being confident of this, He that has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of its completion'. Philippians 1:6 This is essentially what David is saying in the Psalms. I don't know your life story but let me tell you what I do know about David. David was a mere shepherd boy. Many people didn't think too much of him, yet he went on to slay a giant, defeat the Philistine armies, among other things. Remember Bathsheba...she was a weakness for David. He wasn't perfect but he was chosen. Just as you and I were chosen. We each have a purpose and God is going to make sure that we fulfill that purpose, in spite of every thing we may be going through now and in the future. He will not turn His back on us.
It's okay to have those days where you might not be feeling your best. Just don't lose your faith. Trust God. Lean on Him. Call to Him just as David did in Psalms 141:1. 'O Lord, I am calling to you. Please hurry! Listen when I cry to you for help'. Know that He is always listening, ready, willing and able to do what you need him to do for you.
Dear Lord,
I am crying out to you for help. Things just are not the best for me right now. I am barely holding on. I know that you are able. I believe that you can. Right now I just need a little help to lift up my bowed down head. I thank you Father for helping me. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
I am sure David had days where he just wanted to run away and hide. I am sure he had moments of depression. There were times he felt insecure. He was afraid, stressed out and just wanted to scream. Sounds a lot like my life. What about you? It would be so nice to experience the kind of confidence David had in the Psalms with all the craziness that life can bring. How do you accomplish this kind of confidence? I don't believe that it comes overnight. I believe that it is developed through life experiences. I don't know about you but I have put my faith in people and they will let you down every time. But the God I serve will never let you down. He may not give you the answer that you want, but He can certainly be trusted to keep His promises. That is why we can lean and depend on Him through everything. You see, God keeping His promises is not about us. It's all about Him. Remember the verse that says, 'Being confident of this, He that has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of its completion'. Philippians 1:6 This is essentially what David is saying in the Psalms. I don't know your life story but let me tell you what I do know about David. David was a mere shepherd boy. Many people didn't think too much of him, yet he went on to slay a giant, defeat the Philistine armies, among other things. Remember Bathsheba...she was a weakness for David. He wasn't perfect but he was chosen. Just as you and I were chosen. We each have a purpose and God is going to make sure that we fulfill that purpose, in spite of every thing we may be going through now and in the future. He will not turn His back on us.
It's okay to have those days where you might not be feeling your best. Just don't lose your faith. Trust God. Lean on Him. Call to Him just as David did in Psalms 141:1. 'O Lord, I am calling to you. Please hurry! Listen when I cry to you for help'. Know that He is always listening, ready, willing and able to do what you need him to do for you.
Dear Lord,
I am crying out to you for help. Things just are not the best for me right now. I am barely holding on. I know that you are able. I believe that you can. Right now I just need a little help to lift up my bowed down head. I thank you Father for helping me. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Criticism as a Kindness
Are you familiar with the saying, 'You should look for the good in everything'. Well I read something today that made me question this statement. It was in Psalms 141:5a. It says, ' Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they reprove me, it is soothing medicine. Don't let me refuse it'. What is this verse talking about? It is talking about criticism.
Now I don't know about you but I don't take to kindly to criticism, even if it is so-called constructive criticism. It is not that I believe that I do everything right, I would just rather figure it out myself than to have someone else come tell me something that I can do better. On top of that, there is just something about criticism. You can say it in the sweetest tone and it still doesn't come across well. But here in this verse we are being told to accept criticism. In fact, we are told to welcome it and receive it as a kindness. Don't argue with the one who is giving it but take it as 'soothing medicine'. Why would we be told to receive criticism as a kindness? Here in this Psalms, David was on the run yet again, probably from Saul. And in the midst of his persecution there were those around him telling him all kinds of things, some good and some bad. David's prayer was that he be told these things, even if on the surface they seemed bad. You see, these very things that seemed bad on the surface may help to point out something that was really wrong and could cause him to relapse in to sin or keep him from his right relationship with God. And David did not want that.
So, as a believer we should also be looking for ways to become better. We should also realize that God uses people sometimes to make us aware of things that may need changing. The question is how do we receive these words. I am sharing this with you today because I know how difficult this can be. You're going through something and somebody comes up to share something with you that you need to change or do better. Or sometimes they ask you that one question and you are like, 'Who is he/she to come and say this to me as if he/she is doing so much better?' My challenge to you today is for you to look for the good in the criticism. Don't reject it but receive it. Take it as kindness. God thought enough of you to give you the opportunity to correct that something in you that needs a little work. And believe me we all have something that needs a little work. Learn to control how you react to criticism. It doesn't matter if the person had bad intentions when they said it. Take it and ask God to help you see it through Godly eyes. In the end you will be the better for it.
Dear Lord,
I really don't like it when people criticize me. I could probably receive it much better if it were coming directly from you but I understand that is not how you work all the time. So I'm asking for your help. Help me to stop and pray and ask what you want me to take from the criticism that is given. And if it is given with bad intentions, help me to pray for the person that is saying it instead of arguing or becoming upset. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
Now I don't know about you but I don't take to kindly to criticism, even if it is so-called constructive criticism. It is not that I believe that I do everything right, I would just rather figure it out myself than to have someone else come tell me something that I can do better. On top of that, there is just something about criticism. You can say it in the sweetest tone and it still doesn't come across well. But here in this verse we are being told to accept criticism. In fact, we are told to welcome it and receive it as a kindness. Don't argue with the one who is giving it but take it as 'soothing medicine'. Why would we be told to receive criticism as a kindness? Here in this Psalms, David was on the run yet again, probably from Saul. And in the midst of his persecution there were those around him telling him all kinds of things, some good and some bad. David's prayer was that he be told these things, even if on the surface they seemed bad. You see, these very things that seemed bad on the surface may help to point out something that was really wrong and could cause him to relapse in to sin or keep him from his right relationship with God. And David did not want that.
So, as a believer we should also be looking for ways to become better. We should also realize that God uses people sometimes to make us aware of things that may need changing. The question is how do we receive these words. I am sharing this with you today because I know how difficult this can be. You're going through something and somebody comes up to share something with you that you need to change or do better. Or sometimes they ask you that one question and you are like, 'Who is he/she to come and say this to me as if he/she is doing so much better?' My challenge to you today is for you to look for the good in the criticism. Don't reject it but receive it. Take it as kindness. God thought enough of you to give you the opportunity to correct that something in you that needs a little work. And believe me we all have something that needs a little work. Learn to control how you react to criticism. It doesn't matter if the person had bad intentions when they said it. Take it and ask God to help you see it through Godly eyes. In the end you will be the better for it.
Dear Lord,
I really don't like it when people criticize me. I could probably receive it much better if it were coming directly from you but I understand that is not how you work all the time. So I'm asking for your help. Help me to stop and pray and ask what you want me to take from the criticism that is given. And if it is given with bad intentions, help me to pray for the person that is saying it instead of arguing or becoming upset. In Jesus' Wonderful Name Amen.
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